Tampa principal accused of molesting student, 14

2 years ago

TAMPA, Fla. (TBO.com) - A principal at a Tampa independent school was arrested late Thursday on a charge of molesting a 14-year-old student.

James Jerome Larkin, 63, is the middle school principal at Tampa Day School, which specializes in students in kindergarten through eighth grade who have mild to moderate learning disabilities.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Larkin befriended the boy after the death of his father.

“Larkin became a surrogate dad and routinely took the victim to Dad Club meetings and other recreational activities,” sheriff’s office spokesman Larry McKinnon said in a news release.

Larkin was childsitting March 7 while the boy’s mother was out of the town for the weekend, deputies said. About 10:15 p.m., Larkin entered the boy’s bedroom and touched him inappropriately, deputies said. The teen complained, and Larkin stopped and left the room, deputies said.